Jumoke Verissimo’s book, A Small Silence, has emerged winner of the 2020 Aidoo-Snyder Prize.
The Nigerian writer who is currently based in Canada made the announcement via her twitter handle, @awapointe Tuesday.
“So I got the email: “women’s Caucus at the African Studies Association has selected A Small Silence as the winner of the 2020 Aidoo-Snyder Prize for Best Creative Work.” And yes, yes, yes, your congratulations are in order :),” she wrote.
Already, the Nigerian literati has been congratulating her on the award.
The Aidoo-Snyder book prize is awarded by the Women’s Caucus of the African Studies Association for an outstanding book that prioritises African women’s experiences. Named in honour of Ama Ata Aidoo, the celebrated Ghanaian novelist and short story writer, and Margaret Snyder, the founding Director of UNIFEM, this $500 prize seeks to acknowledge the excellence of contemporary scholarship being produced by women about African women.
In alternate years, the prize is awarded for the best scholarly book, or for the best creative work.
Awarded since 2005, winners have included Carina Ray, Yaa Gyasi, Abosede George, Reneilwe Malatji, Nwando Achebe, Adeline Masquelier, Unoma Azuah, Aminatta Forna, Ama Ata Aidoo, and a host of others.